Fruit-case



(NoModel.) 1

J. T. CORNFORTI-I.

FRUIT CASE. Y No. 496,817. Patented May 2, 1893` WLF# 17(7-4 7g f 743/ 7% By l l W l ggf ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

JOSEPH T. .CORNFORTPL OF DENVER, COLORADO.

FRUIT-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 496,817, dated May 2, 1893. Application filed August 24, 1892. Serial No. 444,016. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

l 3e it known that I, JOSEPH T. CoRNEoRTH, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Fruit-Cases; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as wlll enable others skilled in the art to which 1t appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specication.

My invention relates to improvements in cases especially designed for carrying fruit, as peaches,and the objectof theinveution is to provide a case of the class stated which shall be slmple in construction, economical, durable and practicable.

To this end the improvement consists of the features, arrangements and combinations hereinafter described and claimed.

Myimproved fruit case will be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure l is a top or plan view of the case illustrating the adj ustabil-ity of the cells or compartments. Fig. 2 is a transversesection taken on the line w- :c- Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken on line y-y, Fig. l.V Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the case the outer receptacle being shown in section. Fig. 5 shows atop and an end View of one of the transverse partitions. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in detail of one of the longitudinal strips. Fig. 7 isa fragmentary side view of oneof thelongitudinal strips showing the same threaded through a number of transverse strips placed quite close together. Fig-8 is a detail view of a portion of one of the trans.

verse partitions.

Similar reference characters indicating corresponding parts or elements of the mechanism in the several views, let the numeral 5 designate a rigid box forming the outer shell or casing in which are supported the iiexible and adjustable longitudinal and transverse parts 6 and 7. These Iiexible parts are composed preferably of paper which is cheap and answers every purpose since the outer case 5 whichY is of ordinary construction, being preferably composed of wooden slats, affords the necessary support for these flexible partitions forming the compartments or cells 8. The transverse partitions are provided with central vertical slots 76L extending between the folding lines 7c which mark the division between the central parts 7 d of the partitions 6o and the top and bottom fiaps 7g and 7h which form the tops and bottoms of the cells. The longitudinal partitions are of a width equal to the central part of the transverse partif tions, and are drawn through the slots 7 65 formed therein. In practice Va series of transverse partitions are placed close together as shown in Fig. 7 with the slots 7 coinciding as to position. The longitudinal strips are then drawn or threaded through these slots 7o which are formed at any suitable distance apart. The transverse strips are then moved apart on the longitudinal strips to form cells of suitable width or size depending on the size of the fruit to be placed in the case.

The fruit may be packed in the case in a number of ways. For instance, it may be nested so to speak, as shown in the four left hand rows of cells in Fig. 1. This consists in pushing one longitudinal strip against 8o one side of the box and placing the fruit in contact therewith. The next strip 6 is then pressed against the fruit and so on until the row of cells is full, thus making the capacity of the cell to conform to the size of the fruit. It will thus be seen that different sized fruit may be nested in this manner in the case and will fit tightly in the cells. In filling the next row of cells I commence at the opposite side of the case, the longitudinal strip for the 9c two cellsbeing shaped like the letter S and causing the fruit to fit more snugly and tightly in the case. Or if the individuals of the species of fruit are all of the same size the longitudinal strips may pass straight through between any two transverse strips, thus forming cells of equal size. Or if` in a case ordinarily having tive cells in a row, it is desired to form a four-celled row, say in the center of the box, in which to place some of the roov largest individual specimens of the fruit, for the purpose of making them conspicuous in a east? the eyes of the purchaser, it is only necessary to draw the two central longitudinal strips toward each other, thus closing the space which would otherwise form the central cell. This 1s illustratedin row h, letting the letters a, b, c, dto., designate cell rows beginning at the-extreme left in Fig. l.

Still another method of packing the fruit in the case is by the employment of a flexible binding strip 10 preferably composed of a strip of paper of sufficient length to occupy a row of cells, passing downward to the bottom of each. This strip l0 is hung over one of the longitudinal strips nearest the side of the boX, occupying a position covering the top of a row of cells. Each individual of the fruit is placed thereon in succession and pressed downward into the cell, the binding strip drawing from the opposite end. The first specimen thus rolls into position, there being no friction on its surface to remove the natural bloom or fur-like softness characteristie of the outer surface of the peach, and which it is always desirable should remain undisturbed. The fruit being thus placed in position, the binding strip holds it tightly in place and prevents any change of position during transportation.

There may be asmany layers of fruit cells, one above another, as may be desired, these layers, of course, depending on the height of the case and the size of the fruit. In a case of ordinary size two layers of fruit may be placed. Each layer or stratum of cells is formed from the longitudinal and transverse strips heretofore described. The lower flaps of the transverse strips form the bottom of the cells, While the upper flap covers the top of the same, these aps when the case is filled occupying the position shown by dotted lines at the left in Fig. 5.

If when a layer of cells is nearly full it is found desirable to employ one or more eXtra transverse strips, it not being then convenient to run the longitudinal strips, through the slots in the transverse strips, the lower ap It will thus be 5o sizes of fruit for which the cases are designed. 5 5

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. In a fruit-case the combination with an outer shell or casing, of flexible longitudinal and transverse strips, one set of strips being slotted to receive the other set, whereby the space within the outer casing is divided into any desired number of cells or compartments, the slotted strips being provided with top flaps substantially as described.

2. In a fruit-case, the cell mechanism composed of longitudinal and transverse strips, one set of strips being slotted and provided with top and bottom flaps, and the other set being adapted to enter said slots, substantally as described.

3. In a fruit-case, the flexible longitudinal and transverse strips, one set being slotted to receive the other set, whereby the space within the outer case may be divided into any desired number of different sized compartments, the slotted strips being provided with bottom flaps substantially as described.

4. In a fruit-case, the cell mechanism composed of longitudinal and transverse strips, one set of strips being slotted and provided with top and bottom flaps, and the other set.

being adapted to enter said slots, and a loose iiexible binding-strip resting upon one set of strips and adapted to dip into the cells as the fruit is placed thereon, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH T. CORNFORTI-I. 

